A stone is placed on the end of a garden hose. A pattern of water blossoms forth from under it. Another stone’s surface would produce different fluid forms in the water. Peter Barrickman used this analogy to describe his move from 631 Center St, which tragically burned along with many other artists’ spaces in July, to his new studio. His creativity is the water issuing from the hose, the rock his new digs. His artwork is different. The painter Peter Barrickman is changed.

Deluge is also an appropriate description of my meeting with the artist himself. We were joined by Mary Louise and artist Santiago Cucullu to talk about his recent show at the Green Gallery East, called “Guesthouse”. For an hour we dug into references, ideas and reflections. Barrickman has a fierce intellect and an artist’s eye. Everything is magnified. His thoughts on, well, anything are apt, deep and weird. | Dec. 13, 2012»Read Full Blog Post

John C. Reilly and Friends entertain a crowd of 100 in the Miller Caves.

The Miller Caves, underneath the brewery that not only made Milwaukee famous but also helped define the city itself, apparently never seemed, until Sunday night, like a place to hold a concert.

In retrospect, after the very first such event courtesy of John C. Reilly and Friends, the historic location was a small club waiting to happen: The painted backdrop of cavorting (presumably) Germans had retro style, as did the overhead lamps and the high-arched ceiling. | June 17, 2013»Read Full Article(4)

Two minutes after the end of Sunday's "Mad Men" episode - filled with personal drama, some of it involving, Pete, Bob, Ted and Peggy - AMC, I presume sent out this press release.

With Peggy listed as the contact, it is presumably the press release Peggy was told to prepare a few weeks ago on the show, announcing the new name of the merged advertising agency. | June 16, 2013»Read Full Blog Post(3)

A fine time for canines

Take a seat

Milwaukee's historic house museums are offering patrons a seat at their annual fundraising event Wednesday. And, afterward — guests can take the chairs with them. The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum and the Charles Allis Art Museum have been blessed with chairs — or artistic riffs on chairs — created by local artists for this auction at 6 p.m. at the Villa Terrace. The seats range from an old easy chair dressed as a cozy grandmother to a pew made from doors to a partial-chair that's now totally sculptural. Other seats for auction are ones at theatrical productions, sporting events or a table in a local fine dining establishment. The evening also features live music, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are $25. Making a reservation would be appreciated and can be done by calling Ann Steinbach at (414) 278-8295 Ext. 5, but it isn't mandatory. Visit www.charlesallis.org/cavtgalleryofchairs.html| June 16, 2013»Read Full Article